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Der Wienerschnitzel (page 1)

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Der Wienerschnitzel was founded in Wilmington, CA in 1961. The company claims to be the "world's largest hot dog chain". Now known simply as "Wienerschnitzel", they have over 340 restaurants in 10 states. In 1962, their distinctive building was introduced: a giant red-roofed A-frame, many pierced with a drive-thru window. I believe this design was phased out in 1973 for a flat-roofed building. There are hundreds if not thousands of these A-frame buildings still left around the country with most of them housing other businesses. I'm only including a few examples here. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.

Der Wienerschnitzel
Wilmington, CA
This Der Wienerschnitzel is the company's original location. It was built in 1961. This is the original building which featured both walk-up and drive-thru service from the beginning. There was originally nothing on the roof. The signs have been updated. For more, see this website. [map]

former Der Wienerschnitzel
Flagstaff, AZ
This Der Wienerschnitzel building has housed the Route 66 Dog Haus since around 2001. [map]

former Der Wienerschnitzel [gone]
Phoenix, AZ
This former Der Wienerschnitzel building was vacant when this photo was taken in 2018. It was demolished in 2020.

Wienerschnitzel
North Hollywood, CA
Wienerschnitzel
Canoga Park, CA
These two Der Wienerschnitzel buildings are intact examples of DW's large building design. Both have been rebranded as Wienerschnitzel locations and still offer drive-thru service in the middle of the buildings. There are still many examples of these still-operating buildings in Southern California. [North Hollywood map]; [Canoga Park map]

Der Wienerschnitzel
Pomona, CA
The Der Wienerschnitzel in Pomona was still operating as a Wienerschnitzel in 2016. These photos are from 2013. [map]

former Der Wienerschnitzel
Baldwin Park, CA		 Der Wienerschnitzel
Fremont, CA
This former Der Wienerschnitzel in Baldwin Park housed Tono's Taco when this photo was taken in 2012. By 2014, the building was housing 626 Hawaiian BBQ & BOBA. This was another of the earlier, smaller buildings without a drive-thru in the middle. [map]

The drive-thru feature of this still-operating Der Wienerschnitzel in Fremont has been removed to create more indoor dining space. A box-like feature at the front of the building has also been added. [map]

former Der Wienerschnitzel
Alameda, CA
2014: 2018:
This former Der Wienerschnitzel was still operating in 2011. The building was vacant when this photo was taken in 2014. By 2016, it was housing the Vietnam House. For more, see this website. [map]

Wienerschnitzel
Sacramento, CA		 former Der Wienerschnitzel
Fresno, CA		 former Der Wienerschnitzel
Torrance, CA
This Wienerschnitzel in Sacramento was built as Der Wienerschnitzel #263 in the chain. [map]

This former Der Wienerschnitzel in Fresno now houses Lola's Ricos Tacos. For more, see this website. [map]

There is also a still-operating Der Wienerschnitzel A-frame in Fresno.

This Der Wienerschnitzel in Torrance closed around 2012. The building now houses the Brazilian Plate House. [map]

former Der Wienerschnitzel
San Diego, CA
2020: 2023:
This Der Wienerschnitzel closed in 2016. In 2018, the building began housing Copper Top Coffee and Donuts. It now houses Happy Fast Delicious. [map]

Der Wienerschnitzel
San Jose, CA
2014: 2017:
This Der Wienerschnitzel in San Jose and the Pomona building shown below are examples of the chain's early, smaller buildings. They have doors in the middle of the buildings instead of drive-thru lanes. The signs were updated to reflect the company's dropping of the "Der" part of the name, as well as the company's association with Tastee-Freez. This San Jose location closed in 2015. By 2016, the building was housing the Flying Falafel. By 2017, the building was vacant. In 2019, the property was fenced off and there were plans to demolish the building. [map]

former Der Wienerschnitzel
Los Angeles, CA		 former Der Wienerschnitzel
Burbank, CA		 former Der Wienerschnitzel
San Gabriel, CA
The former Der Wienerschnitzels in Los Angeles and Burbank now house Original Tommy's Hamburgers locations. [Los Angeles map]; [Burbank map]

The former Der Wienerschnitzel in San Gabriel closed around 2015 and has housed a few other restaurants since then. It now houses the Taqueria Carne & Asada. [map]

Der Wienerschnitzel
San Jose, CA		 Der Wienerschnitzel
San Jose, CA		 Der Wienerschnitzel
San Jose, CA
The first two Der Wienerschnitzel locations above are very similar to those shown in the row above but with the roof pinched at the top. I have not noticed this design used anywhere else but San Jose. Note that the first location has a drive-thru in the middle of the building while the other does not.

The third Der Wienerschnitzel location above is the more common, larger building design with the non-pinched roof and the drive-thru lane through the building. [Story Rd. map]; [4th St. map]; [Santa Clara St. map]

former Der Wienerschnitzel
Sacramento, CA
This former Der Wienerschnitzel is an example of the chain's non-A-frame design. I'm told there were hot dog shaped door pulls. The building previously housed Miyako Teriyaki Bowl. Since about 2014, the building has housed La Favorita Taqueria. [map]

Der Wienerschnitzel
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International
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Pizza Parlor		 Whataburger Woody's
Smorgasburger		 More A-Frame
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